Stamp-vending machine.



G. H. TREADGOLD.

STAMPVENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1AII.2,VI9I7.

Patented Deo. 18, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.'

1P af G.' H. TREADGOLD.

STAMP vENmNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.2. |911- Patented De. 18, 1917..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. H. THEADGOLD.

I STAMP vENnlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-2. 1917.

Patented Dec. 18,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UmTEDsTATEs PAtrmrr oEFrcE.

GEORGE H. TREADGOLD, 0F PORT HUBON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH T0WILLIAM B. ROBESON, 0F PORT HUBON, MICHIGAN.

STAMP-VENDING- MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented Dec, 18, 1917,

Application inea January a, 1917. serial No. Maase.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. TREAD- eoLD, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Port Huron, 1n the county of St. Clairand State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Vending Machines, of which the following is aspeciicatlon, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly tothat type of manually operated machines wherein a coin is exchanged foran article or articles dispensed by rtheV machine.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine of theimproved type, wherein positive and reliable means are employed, ashereinafter set forth, for vending stamps, so that a predeterminednumber of stamps may be obtained by depositing a prescribed coin in themachine and then operating the machine to place the stamps in anobtainable position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a'machine of the above typeembodying feed rollers adapted to move a strip of stamps, tickets orarticles; a knife for severing the strips at predetermined laces, androtary actuating members a apted for movement in synchronism so-that theknife may be operated to sever the strip. While the rotary actuatingmembers are arran ed for rotation in synchronism, suc-h operation 1scontrolled by a connectlng member, as a coin, and prov1s1on 1s madewhereby only predetermined connecting members or coins can be employedfor successfully operating the machine, thus preventing stamps or otherarticles from being surreptitiously obtained.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above typewherein the parts are constructed with a view of reducing the cost ofmanufacture, and at the same time retain those features by whichdurability, ease of operation and assembling are secured, and with suchends in view my.

invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangementof parts to be hereinafter specically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is avertical cross sectional view of a machine in accordance with tion; l

Fig. 2 is a detail view illustrating the feed rollers;

my inven- Fig. Sis a vertical longitudinal sectional Figs. 5 and 6 aredetail views of thefknife.`

In describing my invention by aid of the views above referred to, Idesire to point out that the same are merely illustrative of a machineby which my invention may be put into practice, and I do not care tolimit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown.The following description is therefore to be broadly construed asincluding such substitute construction and arrangement of parts whichare the obvious equivalent of those to be hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a base plate and suitably mounted thereon isan inverted U-shaped casing 2 having detachable front.

and rear walls 3 and 4 respectively. The rear wall 4, at the base plate1, has a coinreceptacle 5 provided with a suitable door or drawer 6.

7 denotes a vertically disposed partition. in proximity to theL frontwall 3 and in parallelism therewith, and extending through saidpartition is an operating shaft 8 journaled in the front and rear walls3` and 4 respectively. The shaft 8 also extends through another verticalpartition 9 in proximity to the rear wall4 and cooperating therewith inproviding a coinway 10. Adjacent the top of the artition 9 is a smallcoin opening 11 and the lower edge of said partition has a coin chute 12communicating with an opening 13 in the rear wall 4, so the coin mayenter the receptacle'.

14 denotes an actuating member between the partitions 7 and 9 and looseupon the operating shaft 8, said `actuating member having a hub portion15 extending through an openin tition 7. onnected t0 the hub portion 15of the actuating member 14, between the front wall 3 and the partition7, is a large gear wheel 17 loose relative to the operating shaft 16provided therefor in the par- 8 and this large gear wheel meshes with asmall gear wheel 18 mounted on a shaft 19 journaled in the walls 3 and 4and extending through the partition 7. The actuating member 14 iscircular in elevation and has the periphery thereof provided with anannular recess 20 to provide clearance for the annular flange 21 ofanother actuating member 22, said member being fixed to the operatingshaft 8, between the member 14 and the partition 9. The actuating member14 has the eriphery thereof provided with diametricallly opposed Vradialslots 23 and the member 22 has a slot 24, and as shown in Fig. 1, theseslots are adapted to register so that a connecting member or coin 25 maybe deposited in said slots to cause the members 14 and 22 to rotatetogether. A slot 26 in the top of the casing 2 permits of the connectingmember or coin 25 being deposited therein.

27 denotes a pin projecting from the flange 21 of the actuating member22 and Providing clearance for the outer end of this in is a groove 28in the inner wall of the casmg 2. One end of the groove 28 communicateswith a slot 29 in a curved or sector shaped partition 30 set in the wallof the casing 2 and extending below the actuating members 14 and 22, asbest shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

31 denotes an arbor between the partition 7 and the rear wall 4 for aroll 32 of stamps, tickets or such articles that may be rolled and thenunrolled in the form of a strip 33 adapted to be drawn between guides 34horizontally disposed within the casing 2 and supported by a side wallthereof. The stamps are unrolled and the strip 33 shifted in the guide34 by feed rollers 35 and 36, said rollers being knurled or roughened tofrictionally engage the strip of stamps 33. The roller 35 is mountedupon the shaft 19 and engages the upper face of the strip of stamps 33.The roller 36 engages the lower face of the strip of stamps 33 and ismounted upon a shaft 37 loosely held in a yoke 38 carried by a resilientarm 39 suitably connected to the inner wall of the casing 2. Theresilient arm 39 is adapted to frictionally hold the lower roller 36 inengagement with the lower face of the strip of stamps 33, and the endsof the shaft 37 may eXtend into slots in the partition 7 and at the wall4.

41 denotes a pin connecting the partition 7 and the rear wall 4, abovethe guides 34, and fulcrumed on this pin is a lever 42. One end of thelever 42 is pivotally connected, as at 43 to a detent 44 adapted Atoextend y through the curved partition 30 and either enga ge theperiphery of the actuating member 14 or extend into a pocket 45 in theperiphery of said member. The detent 44 is slidably held by a pin 46carried by the partition 7 and extending through a slot 47 providedtherefor in said detent.

48 denotes a head at the opposite end of the lever 42 and said head hascam surfaces 49 and 50 adapted to be engaged by the pin 27 of theactuating member 22. The head 48 is cut away, as at 51, to provideclearance for a knife 52. This knife is slotted, as at 53, and looselyheld upon pins 54 carried by the head 48. The knife 53 has a cuttingedge 55 and prongs 56 and the cutting edge of said knife extends into aslot 57 of the guides 34. The knife 52 is adapted to be lowered in theslot 57 to sever the strip of stamps 33 and the prongs 56 of the knifeedge are adapted to pass through a perforated portion connecting thestamps of the strip.

58 denotes side arms connected to the head 48 and extending downwardlyat the sides of the guides 34, said arms having the lower ends thereofloosely connected to a resilient arm 59 supported by the lowermost guide34, said arm having a head 6.0 directly beneath the slot 57 of theguide. The head 60 is adapted to engage the resilient armV 59 and lowersaid arm so as to shift the roller' 36 and cause a cessation in thefeeding of the strip 33 into the guides 34.

61 denotes a flat spring on the guide 34 engaging the lower edge of thelever 42 to hold the head 48 of said lever normally elevated, as shownin Fig. 4.

62 denotes al crank on the forward end of the operating shaft 8 and itis through the medium of this crank that the machine is manuallyoperated.

63 denotes a dog carried by the inner wall of the casing 2 and engagingratchet teeth 64 in the periphery of the actuating member 14, so as toprevent a clockwise rotation of the actuating member 14.

Assuming that a strip of stamps has been removed from the machine and itis desired to obtain another strip of stamps. If the crank or handle 62is turned counter clockwise the pin 27 will depress the head 48 andlower the knife 52, but as no stamps bridge the slot 57, nothing isaccomplished. If the handle ork crank 62 is turned clockwise, the pin 27abuts the head 48 and limits the rotative movement of the actuatingmember 22 without accomplishing anything. So, if a coin or connectingmember is deposited in 'the slot 26, it will remain in said slot untilthe slot 24 of the member 22 registers with the slot 23 of the member 14and then the coin will descend into the slots 24 and 23 and serve as aconnecting member between the actuating members 14 and 22. If a coin orconnecting member of small size should be placed in the machine in anattempt to surreptitiously operate the same, the small coin will passthrough the slot 11 into the coinway 10 and descend into the coinreceptacle 5. Assuming however, that a proper coin or connecting memberis in the position shown in Fig. 1, the actuating member 22, whenrotated, will revolve the actuating member 14 and this member will setthe feed roller in motion, through the medium of the large and smallgear Wheels 17 and 18 and the shaft 19. In order that the feed roller 36may also be driven, besides by the frictional contact with the strip ofstamps 33, small gear wheels 65 are placed upon the shafts 19 and 37, asbest shown in Fig. 2.

As the feed rollers 35 and 36 are revolved, the strip of stamps 33between said rollers is advanced to bridge the slot 57 and enter theguides 34. This operation continues until the end of the strip of stampshas been projected from the side wall of the casing 2 sow-that the stripof stamps can be easily gripped, and removed after being severed by t-heknife 52. The size of the gear wheels 17 and 18, and the rollers 35 and36, is such that a number of strips of stamps will be shifted into theguides corresponding in value to the coin which operatively connectedthe actuating members 14 and 22, and it is in this connection, that themachine may be of various sizes and the various elements thereofcorrectly proportioned relative to each other, so that a predeterminednumber of stamps will be dispensed.

As the actuating members 14 and 22 are revolved and a strip of stampsadvanced between the guides 34, the pin 27 eventually reaches the head48 of the lever 42, and by lirst engaging the cam surface 49, the knife52 is lowered until the prongs 56 thereof engage in the perforationsbetween the l stamps bridging the slot 57. The knife 52 will rest orbear against the strip of stamps until a row of perforations is reached,and then the prongs 56 will enter the perforations. Simultaneously withthis operation, the side arms 58 have lowered the arm 59 and caused thehead 60 thereof to lower the resilient arm 39, thus moving the feedroller 36 out of engagement with the strip of stamps, causing thecessation in the feeding of the stamps into the guides 34. As soon asthe pin 27 rides on'to the cam surface 50 of the head 48, the knifecompletely severs the strip of stamps and thus permits of the severedstrip being withdrawn from between the guides 34.y The knife 52 isloosely held by the head 48 in order that the strip of stamps may bemoved beneath the knife until the prongs 56 thereof enter a row ofperforations, but when the head 48 is depressed for severing purposes,the head engages the upper edge of the knife and causes a positiveaction thereof. In order that the lever 42 may be tilted or rocked forsevering purposes, the end of the detent 44 enters the pocket 45 in theactuating member 14, and

arrests it sincesaid member has been re` leased relative to the member.22 by the coin or connecting member dropping out of the slots 23 and24. By arresting the member 14 it is prevented from carrying the coin orconnecting member beyond the slot 13, and otherwise the end of thedetent engages the periphery of the acuating member 14, maintaining thehead 48 of the lever 42 in an elevated position. By arresting the member14, one of the slots 23 correctly alines with the slot 26 of the casing.

As soon as a strip of stamps is severed and the pin 27 moves out ofengagement with the head 48, the spring 61 restores the lever 42 tonormal position and the slots 23 and 24 are brought into registrationwith the coin chute 12 so that the coin may descend into the receptacle5. The coin automatically releases the actuating member 22 relative tothe actuating member 14 and the machine is now in condition for anotheroperation. v

Even after a coin has been deposited in a. machine, to connect theactuating members 14 and 22, the dog 63 will prevent the meme bers frombeing rotated in the wrong direction. l,

What I claim is 1. In a vending machinel for strips of articles, arotary actuating member, means adapted for rotating said member, a looseactuating member adapted for rotation with said rotary actuating memberwhen a coin is insert-ed iny the machine to connect said members, afeeding mechanism fora strip of articles adapted to be actuated by saidloose member and a knife adapted to be released by said loose member tobe actuated by said rotary member to sever the strip of articles.

2. In a vending machine for strips of arti- A cles, a rotary actuatingmember, means adapted for rotating said member, a loose actuating memberadapted for rotation with said rotary actuating member when a coin isinserted in the machine to connect said members, a feeding mechanismfor-a strip of articles adapted to be actu-ated by said loose member, afulcrum lever held inactive by said loose member adapted to be releasedthereby and actuated by said rotary member, and a knife carried by' saidlever adapted to sever the strip of articles.

3. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination of acasing and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of a rotary member insaid casing, a loose member in said casing adapted for rotation withsaid rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connectsaid members, feeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loosemember tovunroll and move the strip of stamps in position to beWithdrawn from said casing, and a knife adapt.- ed to be actuated bysaid rotary member to sever the strip of stamps.

4. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination with acasing and a roll of strips of stamps in said casing, of a rotary memberin said casing, a loose member in said casing adapted for rotation with.said rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connectsaid members, feeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loosemember to unroll and move the strip of stamps in position to bewithdrawn from said casing, a knife, a lever supporting said knifeadapted to be actuated by said rotary member to cause said knife tosever the strip of stamps, and means actuated by the rotary memberthrough the medium of said lever to cause a cessation in the operationof said mechanism.

5. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination With acasing, and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of 'L manuallyoperated shaft in said casing, a rotary member on said shaft, a loosemember on said' shaft and adapted for movement With said rotary memberwhen a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, afeeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loose member to unrolland move the strip of stamps into position to be Withdrawn from saidcasing, a fulcrum lever held inactive by said loose member and adaptedto be released thereby to be actuated by said rotary member, and a knifecarried by said lever adapted to sever a strip of stamps.

6. In a vending machine for strips 0f stamps, the combination With acasing, and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of a manuallyoperated shaft in said casing, a rotary member fixed on said shaft, aloose member on said shaft and adapted for movement with said rotarymember when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members,feed rollers adapted to unroll and move said stamps into position to beWithdrawn from said casing, gears actuated by said loose member adaptedto impart movement to said feed rollers, a fulcrum lever held inactiveby said loose member and adapted to be released thereby to be actuatedby said rot-ary member, a knife carried by said lever adapted to severthe strip of stamps, and means actuated by said lever adapted to cause acessation in the operation of said feed rollers.

7 In a stamp vending machine, a rotary member, means adapted forrotating said GEORGE H. TREADGOLD.

Witnesses:

ADELE J. MoLLoY, L. W. MILLER.

